OCTOBER – BOOKS, FILMS AND PLACES

BOOKS

ARIEL – SYLVIA PLATH

I have a terrible habit of reading collections of poetry cover to cover in one go, which I’m fairly sure isn’t the way poetry should be read. Maybe I would have enjoyed this more if I would have gone poem by poem, but I didn’t, and I didn’t enjoy it all that much. My favourite poems were ‘Tulips’, ‘The Rival’ and ‘The Munich Mannequins’. The collection does however come across as brave, as Plath writes explicitly about death and suicide. Many write about death, but few go through with it like Plath did. I’d love to read more work by her, but this collection of poems didn’t do it for me. I feel like words either strike and captivate you, or they don’t, and these words really didn’t.

                                                 

WHY I’M NO LONGER TALKING TO WHITE PEOPLE ABOUT RACE – RENI EDDO-LODGE

Considering myself an intersectional feminist and always being fascinated with black history I’d be taught in school, I thought a lot of this book would be obvious to me, however it made me reconsider a lot of things that I understood as normalities of society. Whilst this was a read that I wouldn’t say was pleasurable, due to the hard hitting nature of it, it was educational in the best way possible. Whilst I’m still not sure exactly how to talk about race, this booked definitely helped my understanding. This book is so worth reading, for knowledge which is so vital in the society we are living in.

                                                       

THE NIGHT IS DARKENING ROUND ME – EMILY BRONTE

Another collection of poetry! This is actually one I’d read before, enjoying the way love, nature and death become so simple within poetry. I actually refer to this collection in my personal statement, and so thought I should probably read it, to rediscover some of my favourite poems. I’m almost always critical of poetry, but this collection I really do love, as the language is so beautiful and the poems are so rhythmic. My favourite poem is ‘Remembrance’, as I feel the relationship between nature and death is explored seamlessly, and the poem is truly captivating.

                                                       

ANIMAL FARM – GEORGE ORWELL

I’d say this is a disappointment in a book. It’s obviously so hyped up but it just didn’t do it for me! I felt that the historical references were too obvious and forced, and didn’t really intellectually satisfy me. The only good thing about this book was that its short so I managed to finish it in a day – I wouldn’t have wanted to spend any longer reading it.

                                                           

LADY CHATTERLEY’S LOVER – D.H. LAWRENCE

ICONIC! We stan. I loved every single page – although I did sometimes cringe at the very raunchy bits. This book was obviously so ground-breaking and controversial at the time, and is now just a fucking good book. I loved the characters, especially Lady Chatterley herself, and I love that the book isn’t afraid of detail. So good.

                                                         

FILMS

THE HOUSE WITH A CLOCK IN ITS WALLS

I was confused about this film, because it really felt like a film for young kids, but it had a 12A rating. Aside from the confusion, this was a cute film that I’d watch when hungover or chilling out. The kids were adorable, and Cate Blanchett is an icon.

                                                         

A STAR IS BORN

I’m going to be real, this was the best film I’ve seen in 2018, and possibly my favourite film of all time. I love Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga – although I didn’t before I watched the film to be honest. The characters are so believable, that you do get so caught up in it all. I never cry at films, but this one had my tensing my jaw and taking deep breaths. I cannot recommend this film enough. I truly loved the music, characters and plot.

                                                              

BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY

I actually liked this film a lot less than I expected! The trailers were like goosebump level good, and I’m not saying the film wasn’t good, but it wasn’t really what I expected. I really really really enjoyed the musical parts, both the ones onstage and in the recording studio, but the other bits I weren’t so fond of. I was surprised at how negatively Freddie Mercury was portrayed in his relationships, both romantic and with his bandmates. I do however feel that the acting was fucking amazing, so that with the music made the film enjoyable.

                                                   

HALLOWEEN

This is another film that wasn’t really was I expected! It was scary, but more in an emotionally disturbing way than a jumpy or psychological way. I enjoyed the pace and anticipation, but at times I felt that the plot was a bit like “here’s some people, now they’re dead, here’s some more people, now they’re dead, and so on, and so on”, so the novelty of it wore off a bit and you learnt to not get emotionally attached to anyone. The methods of killing were however really gruesome, which I actually quite liked because I like gore. I wouldn’t watch it again, but it did get me in the Halloween mood!

                                                           

PLACES

THE PLAYHOUSE THEATRE, LONDON

At the beginning of the month I saw ‘The Jungle’, an immersive play based around immigration. I kind of feel like this was one of the best plays I’ve seen in my life, and not just because Ian McKellen (Dumbledore) was on the same row as us. This was done the way immersive plays should be done. Some moments were hilarious and some moments truly broke your heart. I really cannot believe how fucking amazing the writing, the actors and especially the set was. There was not a second of boredom or disappointment. My heart goes out to this play.

                                                      

GOOGLE DIGITAL ACADEMY, LONDON

I had the amazing opportunity to talk about mental health at the Google Digital Academy, with my fellow wellbeing ambassadors. As well as playing table tennis and getting a little too excited about the buffet, we were able to start really important conversations. I spoke about my experience with an eating disorder, and there were tears in the room. I’m so grateful that my words and experiences can really mean something to other people, and hopefully help create great change.

SHEFFIELD

I went to look at the University of Sheffield as part of my scary endeavours into the future. I didn’t have expectations too high – and I was so pleasantly surprised. The university is so nice, and has such a lovely feel to it. The English talk was in a Church building, which was absolutely gorgeous. The city is also so lovely, and I had a great time.

BRIGHTON

On Halloween, I went to Brighton with my lovely work friends. We sat by the sea, had pizza at purezza, wandered through the lanes and got donuts. I love Brighton and I love my cute friends.

       

Overall, October was pretty amazing. I hope everyone else had a good October, and especially a good Halloween!

Hannah x